Finding a good-sized family room with a pool in George Town, Penang, is harder than you’d think. Most of the hotels with resort-style amenities are out at Batu Ferringhi on the beach, and we really wanted to stay central.
After a lot of searching, we booked The Granite Luxury Hotel which was a newer property right in the heart of George Town. It ticked a few important boxes: separate spaces so we wouldn’t all be in one room, a pool to cool off in, and an easy walk to the UNESCO Heritage area in George Town (see our full guide to things to do in Penang with kids if you’re planning time there). Plus, booking.com had opening deals (with free cancellation) that made it really affordable.
This review covers what it was like staying here as a family, what we loved, and a few things worth knowing, so you can decide if it’s the right base for your Penang trip.
Check current rates for The Granite Luxury Hotel here as the larger suites like ours book quickly.
What We Loved About the Location
The Granite sits right in George Town, opposite Komtar Tower and three shopping centres (Prangin Mall, 1st Avenue and Komtar itself). Having malls across the street made grabbing quick meals, coffee, or forgotten essentials really easy, and we were only a 15-minute walk from the UNESCO Heritage zone with all its temples, shophouses and street art. ((more on that in our first-timer’s guide to Penang)
It’s not smack in the middle of the tourist and backpacker area, which we preferred. It felt more local, but still central enough to walk or hop on a bus anywhere we wanted to go. There’s even a bus hub under Komtar Tower, which we didn’t use this time but would next time (see our tips on travelling from KL to Penang if you haven’t planned your transport yet).
What It’s Like Staying Here as a Family
We booked a two-bedroom suite (just under $1,000 AUD for five nights) because we knew we’d need the space. Our son was happy with this. His “room” was actually the lounge repurposed with a sofa bed, which meant he could watch TV in the mornings since he’s an early riser.
The separate bedroom gave us a bit of privacy, though it did only have an internal window. It wasn’t a huge issue because we spent most of our time in the living area, but it’s good to know if you are hoping for views.
The suite was bright, modern and really comfortable, and having extra space felt well worth the money. If you’re travelling with kids, I’d definitely recommend booking one of the suites. The standard rooms looked fine, though the extra space made everything feel more comfortable.
The only small issue was the bedding situation. When we arrived, no bedding had been set up for the sofa bed despite having booked for three people. Reception initially said it wasn’t included for the third guest (even though we’d paid extra for him), but after a bit of back and forth, they sorted it out. It wasn’t the end of the world, but double-check bedding arrangements at check-in so you don’t have to chase it up later.
The Variety of Rooms
One thing we really liked about The Granite is the range of room types and styles. You can book simple, budget-friendly options if you just need a place to sleep, or go all out with one of their glamorous suites. If you want to get a feel for the style of the different rooms, check out their Instagram – they showcase the full range there.
The Pool & Other Facilities
The pool is one of the hotel’s big selling points. It’s on one of the upper floors and has a glass-bottom section with views across George Town and Komtar Tower.
We had it to ourselves when we used it, and towels were easy to grab, but the water was icy cold. We only lasted one short swim before deciding we were done. Our son thought it was “cool,” but there was no way we were spending any length of time in there.
The hotel doesn’t have its own restaurant or breakfast service, which could be tricky if your kids need food as soon as they wake up. We managed fine by picking up supplies at the supermarket on the corner (a two-minute walk away) and using the kitchenette in the room for simple breakfasts. The rooftop bar, Attic 23, is also great for a drink and snacks before dinner. We saw them setting up for live music on one of our visits, so if that’s your thing, it could be a fun spot to hang out in the evenings.
For drivers, there’s an automated parking system (we didn’t use it, but it looked efficient), and for everyone else, getting around is easy thanks to the bus station across the street and the walkable distance into the centre of George Town.
If you’re building your itinerary around a central George Town stay like this, check out our 1, 2, 3 and 4+ day Penang itinerary to see how we structured our time.
Evenings at The Granite
Our room looked out over a little open-air bar tucked behind the hotel. We enjoyed watching the bar from the window, the workers setting up and the people coming in for drinks. A bit of harmless people watching! Our son also spotted a couple of playful cats to watch wandering around the bar.
The noise did ramp up later in the night, and the windows certainly weren’t soundproof. It wasn’t too much of a big deal if he was in bed at a reasonable time, but on the later nights out he struggled to get to sleep with the live music going on. One night there was also fireworks near by that absolutely scared the pants off him!
Service & Staff
The staff were friendly and helpful throughout our stay, happily organising cars when we needed them and answering our questions about the area.
The only hiccup was the bedding situation, which took a bit more persistence to resolve than it should have. But overall, their professionalism made us feel welcome, and we’d happily stay again.
Would We Stay Here Again?
Yes – we’d book The Granite again in a heartbeat. We loved the location (close to everything but not in the thick of it), the spacious layout of the suite, and the convenience of having malls and transport right across the street.
It’s not perfect. The pool is freezing, there’s no on-site breakfast, and you may hear some noise from the bar behind the hotel, so if you’re after a resort vibe or total quiet at night, this probably isn’t for you. But for families wanting central George Town with a bit of space to spread out, it’s a great choice.
Ready to book? See which suites are available now at The Granite Luxury Hotel – having that extra space made a huge difference for us as a family.
Planning your Penang trip?
Make the most of your stay with our first-timer’s guide to Penang, detailed 1- to 4+ day itinerary, and Penang food guide – plus reviews of Entopia Butterfly Farm and Penang Hill & The Habitat for nature days out.
